Homeless charity to receive £200k government grant

Petrus Day Centre

A homeless charity which provides a hub of support for those sleeping rough in Rochdale is to receive nearly £200,000 it was announced today (Friday 18 January).

Petrus, based in Great George Street, will receive £199,108 in the latest allocations of funding from the Homelessness Transition Fund announced by Housing Minister Mark Prisk.

The money is to be spent on the Great George Street Hub and for funding private rented provision which Petrus deputy co-ordinator Phil Foster believes is a huge boost for the charity.

“It is good to be considered worthy of receiving a grant from the many applicants from across the country,” he said.

“It will be used for working with people who are at risk of homelessness as well as those who are homeless already.”

Mr Foster explained the charity hopes to help nearly 400 people over the course of the year both at the Hub and in funding private rented property in collaboration with the Bond Board.

The Homelessness Transition Fund is aimed at stopping anybody having to spend a second night on the streets.

Pete Hinchliffe, organiser of Rochdale campaign group ‘Chill Out’ - supported by Rochdale Online - was pleased Rochdale would benefit from the fund.

“Chill Out are delighted with the news,” he said.

“This is going to make a huge difference to Rochdale’s growing homeless problem.”

“We are also pleased it has gone to a local charity rather than a national organisation.”

Linda Phillips, a supporter of ‘Chill Out’ who volunteers at Rochdale’s Foodbank, was also pleased with the news.

She recounted the story of a young homeless man she met during one voluntary shift and expressed her hope the grant could help people like him.

She met the 23-year-old when he went in for food with his 41-year-old mum, who lives in a hostel.

However, while both the 23-year-old and his 19-year-old brother were able to visit and cook food there, they could not stay leaving them struggling.

“This poor lad had been sent to an accommodation and shown a room and he was saying, ‘oh yeah, that’s brilliant’, then they said ring us in two weeks,” she explained.

“Why would they show him the room and then send him back on the streets!?

“It’s heart-breaking really. I felt like bringing him home with me, but of course you can’t do that with every one.

“I don’t know much about Petrus but I am really pleased they have got nearly £200,000.

“I hope they get it soon and can do something in this weather for that young lad and his brother and others out there.”